Brake beam fulcrum



June 3, 1941- G. M. ARMSTRONG BRAKE B EAM'FULCRUM Filed Jan. 6, 1940 2 Sheets -Shqet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 1941.

e. M. ARMSTRONG BRAKE BEAM FULCRUM Filed Jan. 6, 1940 2 sheet's she et 2 INVENTOR w Z W a w ATTORNEY.

Patented June 3, 1941 BRAKE BEAM FULCRUM Application January 6, 1940, Serial No. 312,674

(c1. 1ss zs2) 8 Claims.

My invention relates to a brake beam fulcrum and more particularly to an improved form of reversible fulcrum for use in a truss type brake beam! of the common form, using a channel compression member and a rod tension member with the fulcrum extending therebetween.

It is well known in the art to provide a reversible fulcrum rod to accommodate one beam for use as either right or left hand, the difference between the two types being in the direction of inclination of the slot in the fulcrum within which is secured the brake lever.

An object of my invention is to provide a onepiece reversible fulcrum and means for use in conjunction therewith which will secure said reversible fulcrum in position for use either with the right hand or with the left hand arrangement.

Considerable difliculty has been experienced in applying reversible fulcrums to truss type beams due to the fact that continued wear between the parts sometimes results in a condition Which permits the fulcrum to rotate on its axis and shift from the position in which it was applied toward the opposite position. Considerable eifort has been expended in seeking a method of securing the fulcrum in position in such a manner that it could not shift from the position applied. My invention comprehends an arrangement of reversible fulcrum which cannot shift from the original position of application, thus overcoming the diificulties above mentioned.

My invention comprehends a novel form of fulcrum which includes means projecting within the yoke thereof for engagement with the separable wedge piece member so designed as to retain the fulcrum in either right or left hand position.

A different object of my invention is to provide such a wedge member of novel form so constructed as to afford a tight fit between the yoke of the fulcrum and the compression member which it embraces.

Yet another object of my invention is a form of wedge member which when secured in position will automatically compensate for the tolerances of manufacture, thereby affording tight fit in spite of such tolerances.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my novel reversible fulcrum; Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof; and

Figure 3 is an end view taken from the left as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of my novel fulcrum as applied to a truss type beam, the view being taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 5; Figure 5 is a view of the structure shown in Figure 4, the view being taken from the left thereof and substantially in the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line 65 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 shows a plan view of my novel form of wedge member, Figure 7A an end elevation thereof, and Figure 7B a side elevation.

Figure 8 shows a plan view of aslightly modified form of my wedge member, Figure 8A an end view thereof, and Figure 8B a side elevation.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of a still further modification of a wedge or key member, Figure 9A being an end elevation thereof and Figure 913 a side elevation.

Describing the structure in greater detail, my novel reversible fulcrum is an integral casting having at one end the eye 2 affording a seat at 4 for a tension member and having at the opposite end a yoke 6 as a means of embracing the compression member 8 (Figure 4). The ribs 7, l at the opposite sides of the yoke reinforce the yoke and afford stop means in conjunction with the end walls thereof to fix the yoke in its alternate positions on the compression member 8 as best seen in Figure l. Centrally the fulcrum is afforded the usual brake lever slot I0 and the aligned openings l2, l2 affording a means of connection to the associated brake lever (not shown). Within the yoke 6 projects the lug l4, said lug extending into said yoke in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fulcrum, being substantially a continuation of the intermediate portion It. The projecting end of said lug I4 is afforded slots l8 and 2B diagonally arranged with respect to each other as best seen in the view of Figure 3 and so positioned that one of said slots will be parallel with the compression member 8 at each position of the reversible fulcrum as best seen in the'view of Figure 4. Centrally formed on the outer wall of the yoke 6 and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the fulcrum is the stud 22 above which the fulcrum may rotate as it is shifted from one position to the other.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show my novel method of connecting the reversible fulcrum to the compression member of the beam with the compres sion member 8 extending through the yoke 6. The slot 20 is parallel with the compression member 8. Wedged between the projecting end of the lug l4 and the web 24 of the channel 8 is my novel form of key or wedge member 26 which is shown in detail in Figures 7, 7A and 7B. The forward end of the key or wedge 25 is tapered as at 28 to facilitate application thereof and the tongue 33 projects at the forward end and may be bent over as indicated at 32 after the key is driven into position. The rear end of the key 26 is afforded a shoulder at 34 whose abutment against the lug l4 affords a stop for the wedge or key 26 when driven into position. The taper at 28 already referred to compensates for any tolerances in the manufacture of the parts and the wedge 26 is afforded a thickness between its top abutting surfaces at 36, 36 (Figure and its bottom abutting surface at 38 such as to give tight fitting surfaces under all conditions of tolerances. The tongue or flange 40 is afforded an easy sliding fit within the slot with such clearance therebetw'een as to make application easy. Such a structure is possible because the yoke 6 is afforded a degree of resilience which will permit the outer wall thereof to be sprung slightly to permit the insertion of the key 26 even when the tolerances are unfavorable.

The detail of the key 26 is shown in Figures '7, 7A and 'lB wherein it may be noted that the body of the wedge is generally T section with the top longitudinal flange 40 terminating at the rear end in the lug or stop 36. Parallel with the flange 40 and on the opposite face of the wedge is the longitudinal bottom flange 42 tapered at its forward end as at 28 for the purpose already described. The tongue projects at the forward end and may be bent over as already ex plained after the wedge is forced into position. The width of the wedge or key member is such as to afford an easy fit and position said key between the flanges of the channel compression member 8 as best seen in the views of Figures 4 and 5. When in position the key is thus held against rotation between the flanges of the channel member and the tongue received within the slot 29 prevents rotation of the fulcrum with respect to the key, thereby retaining the fulcrum in normal position.

The modified form of wedge shown in Figures 8, 8A and 8B is generally similar to that just described except that the bottom flange is eliminated so that the entire base of the wedge affords a seat therefor as at 24 and the top flange 46 is of greater depth. The stop 48 is similar to that described for the previous modification as is also the tongue 58. Likewise, a taper 52 is afforded at the forward end of the key to facilitate its application.

In the further modification of the key or wedge shown in Figures 9, 9A and 9B the bottom of the wedge is afforded at opposite sides thereof parallel flanges 5'1, 54 as seating means therefor and the forward ends of said flanges are tapered as at 56, 56 as in the previous modifications. The top longitudinal flange 58 is afforded the stop 60 at the rear thereof and at the forward end the tongue 62 is securing means similar to those of the previous modifications.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a truss brake beam having a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a resilient yoke embracing said member and a lug extending within said channel between the flanges thereof and spaced from the web thereof, angularly arranged grooves in said lug opposite said web, and a key in compression between said lug and said web, said key having a rib selectively receivable in either of said grooves to afford alternate fixed positions of said key with respect to said fulcrum, said key having a tapered forward end to facilitate application thereof and lateral edges in abutment with the flanges of said channel to prevent rotation thereof within said channel, and a shoulder at one end of said rib affording abutment for said key against said lug.

2. In a truss brake beam having a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a resilient yoke embracing said member and a lug extending within said channel between the flanges thereof and spaced from the web thereof, angularly arranged grooves in said lug opposite said web, a key in compression between said lug and said web, said key having a rib selectively receivable in either of said grooves to afford alternate fixed positions of said key with respect to said fulcrum, said key having lateral edges in abutment with said flanges, stop means at one end of said rib affording seating means for said key against said lug, and a malleable member at the opposite end of said key for engagement with the opposite side of said lug after assembly.

3. In a truss brake beam having a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a yoke receiving said member and a lug projecting within said channel opposite the web thereof, angularly arranged grooves on said lug opposite said web, and a key having a tapered forward end compressed between said lug and said web with the lateral edges thereof engaging the sides of said channel, a flange on said key selectively receivable in said grooves to position said key with respect to said fulcrum in either of two positions, a shoulder at one end of said flange abutting one side of said lug, and malleable means at the opposite end of said key which may be bent into abutment against the opposite side of said lug for securing said key in assembled position, and stop means on opposite ends of said key engaging said lug to prevent accidental removal thereof.

4. In a truss type brake beam having a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a yoke embracing said member and a lug extending between the sides thereof and spaced from the web of said member, angularly arranged slots in said lug opposite said web, a wedge compressed between said web and said lug and having a flange receivable in either of said slots and affording means of fixing said wedge against rotation with respect to said fulcrum in either of two positions, a shoulder at one end of said flange affording abutment of said key against said lug, and malleable means at the end of said key opposite said shoulder for fixing said key in position after assembly.

5. In a truss brake beam having a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a yoke receiving said member and a lug projecting within said channel opposite the web thereof, angularly arranged grooves on said lug opposite said web, and a key having a tapered forward end compressed between said lug and said web with the lateral edges thereof engaging the sides of said channel, and a flange on said key selectively receivable in said grooves to position said key with respect to said fulcrum in either of two positions, a shoulder at one end of said flange having abutment against said lug, and malleable means at the end of said key opposite said shoulder forming securing means for said key after assembly.

6. In a truss type brake beam, a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a yoke embracing said member and a lug extending in the direction of the axis of said fulcrum between the sides of said member and spaced from the web thereof, a key wedged between said web and said lug with the lateral edges thereof engaging said flanges, a tongue and groove engagement between said key and said lug to prevent relative rotation thereof, a shoulder at one end of said flange in abutment at one side of said lug, and malleable means at the opposite end of said key for fixing said key in assembled position.

'7. In a truss brake beam having a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a resilient yoke embracing said member and a lug extending within said channel between the sides thereof and spaced from the web thereof, angularly arranged grooves in said lug opposite said web, and a key in compression between said lug and said web, said key having a tongue selectively receivable in either of said grooves to afford alternate fixed positions of said key with respect to said fulcrum, a shoulder at one end of said tongue in abutment with said lug, and malleable means at the end of said key opposite said shoulder for fixing said key in position after assembly.

8. In a truss type brake beam having a channel compression member, a reversible fulcrum having a yoke embracing said member and a lug extending between the sides thereof and spaced from the web of said member, angularly arranged slots in said lug opposite said web, and a Wedge compressed between said Web and said lug and having a tongue receivable in either of said slots and affording means of fixing said wedge against rotation with respect to said fulcrum in either of two positions, a shoulder at one end of said tongue affording stop means for said wedge in application by abutment against said lug, and malleable means at the opposite end of said wedge for fixing said wedge in applied position.

GEORGE M. ARMSTRONG.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,21%252. June 5, 19m.

GEORGE n. ARMSTRONG.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification oif the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows: Page 2, sec- 0nd column, lines 14.7 tc 50 inclusive, claim 5, strike out the comma and words", and stop means on opposite endsof said key engaging said lug to preventaccidental removal thereof" {and that the ssid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may confom to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of October, A. D. 19).;1.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Coxmfiissioner of Patents. 

